The purchase of the mattress and box spring is essential for the quality of sleep. It is, therefore, better to take the time to find out beforehand, and always choose one according to the other. Here are some tips to help you.

Mattress
and box spring: an inseparable couple

Why
do you need a box spring under the mattress?

It
is strongly discouraged to place a mattress on the floor:

–
for hygienic reasons: the floor will encourage condensation, which
will allow mould to settle under the mattress;

– for comfort reasons: the box spring contributes to the support, and therefore to the comfort of the mattress. The seat height of a bed with a box spring makes it easy to get out of bed;

– for a longer service life: the box spring acts as a shock absorber, saving the mattress from wear and tear which otherwise would set in more quickly on hard ground.

Mattresses
and box springs: group purchases

It
is advisable to buy the box spring at the same time as the mattress.
Indeed, the unbalanced support of the mattress on a tired box spring
will quickly deform it.

In
addition, it is better to choose a box spring of the same brand as
the mattress because the related box spring will reinforce and
support the mattress technology.

It
is obvious that the life span of a rigid box spring is longer than
that of a box spring actively involved in support. But an active box
spring gives hope that the mattress will last 10 years, while a firm
box spring will exhaust the mattress more quickly.

For
self-contained waterbeds, a box spring with balanced support does not
need to be changed.

This
may not seem obvious, but it is advisable to choose a box spring
according to the type of mattress you have (or vice versa). There are
3 main types of box springs.

The
slatted bed base

The
slatted bed base consists of a wooden bed base and wooden planks
placed perpendicular to the length of the bed. It can be of the
monolithic, biblast or triblast type. Plastic studs (with or without
firmness adjustment) can also be fitted to some slats to improve
local flexibility, or to all slats to increase the morphological
adaptation capacities of the bed base.

Covered
with foam and fabric, the box spring with tapestry slats (often with
large rigid slats) is available with a spring mattress, as it is
cheaper than the box spring. Its association with a latex mattress is
not recommended for ventilation reasons.

This
type of box spring is suitable for:

–
classic foam mattresses;

–
foam mattresses with shape memory foam;

–
latex mattresses;

–
autonomous waterbeds;

–
spring mattresses in the upholstered versions.

This
box spring balances the support of the mattress you have chosen. The
slatted bed base can be rigid, flexible or have more flexible or
adjustable areas of rigidity (at the shoulder and lower back)

For
autonomous waterbeds that are air-conditioned, the sole function of
the box spring is to allow easy lifting.

The
spring base

The
spring base is a base that has springs inside and is naturally
suitable for spring mattresses and wool mattresses: it will enhance
the suppleness and softness of your mattress.

This
type of box spring is suitable for:

–
all spring mattresses;

– classic foam and/or shape memory mattresses if they are not curved or hollowed out for more balanced support;

–
latex mattresses to a lesser extent, due to possible ventilation
problems;

–
autonomous waterbeds.

The
electric box spring

The
electric bed base will allow you to raise the top and/or bottom of
your bedding by using a remote control.

As
it rises, the surface area of the footboard section is reduced.
Therefore, the minimum recommended length is 200 cm to prevent the
user’s feet from protruding from the mattress.

Designed for a single bed (a mattress), there is a width of up to 140 cm for one person. In a double bed (two mattresses), the minimum recommended width is 160 cm (2 × 80 cm). Few manufacturers offer mixed double berths (a motorized bed base and a fixed bed base).

The types
of electric box springs are equipped with:

–
1 motor for the back part and a mechanical lifting of the feet
without the possibility of bending the knees;

–
2 motors with a fixed zone at the pelvis, two or three zones at the
back and head (fixed or two-part headrest) and two zones at the
bottom of the bed to bend the knees;

–
3 motors, the third motor allowing to lift the box spring like a
hospital bed;

–
4 motors, these top-of-the-range slat bases allow a personalized
adjustment of the different parts of the slat base.

The
electric box spring is suitable for:

–
relaxation mattresses made of classic foam and/or memory foam;

–
latex relaxation mattresses;

–
foam mattresses of all types that are not too rigid (recommended
thickness 14 to 20 cm);

–
spring mattresses, but only with the model proposed by the mattress
manufacturer.

The
electric box spring is not suitable for stand-alone waterbeds, unless
it is used as a fixed box spring.

So,
hope the above will help you out in deciding which type of bed best
suits your needs. You
may wish to visit Atlantic
Fine Furniture and check their line of adjustable bed
foundations.

For
more information and tips, do not forget to share your experience in
the comment section below.